In 2005, Cherokee County purchased a 25,000 square foot building in order to develop the Cherokee County Center for Applied Technology. A collaboration between Tri-County Community College, Cherokee County, and several industry partners, the facility is now used for classes and short-run manufacturing and houses the college's Machinist Training Program and the Associate Degree program in Machining Technology. The primary goal in developing the center was to provide the community with a workforce development program as the need for skilled workers in the area grew as more industrial business took root. The NC Rural Center and the Economic Development Administration provided grant funds for the renovation of the building, and the center received grant money from Duke Energy to help pay for 10 large machines. Phase One of the building renovation was completed in 2008.